UC-NRLF 


U  D 

AZ.4 


B   4   S3?   721 


■^^p 


FOR  OFFICIAL  USE  ONLY 


Training  Circular  No.  5 
Infantry  Training 


PREPARED  AT  THE 

ARMY  WAR  COLLEGE 

AUGUST,  1918 


WAR  PLANS  DIVISION 

AUGUST,  1918 

WAR  DEPARTMENT 

Document  No.  849 

Office  of  The  Adjutant  General 


War  Department 

Document  No.  849 

Office  of  the  Adjutant  General 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  August  26,  1918. 

The  following  pamphlet,  "Infantry  Training  (Training  Circu- 
lar No.  5),"  prepared  by  the  War  Plans  Division,  General  Staff, 
is  published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned. 
It  combines  and  takes  the  place  of  Infantry  Training  Pamphlet 
of  August,  1917,  War  Department  Document  No.  656*/Training 
Circular  No.  5  of  December,  1917,  and  the  Program  of  Training 
for  Divisions,  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  which  are  not  to 
be  supplied  in  the  future. 

(062.1  A.  G.  O.) 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

PEYTON  C.  MARCH, 

General,  Chief  of  Staff. 
Official  : 

H.  P.  McCAIN, 

The  Adjutant  General. 


€64365 


INFANTRY  TRAINING 


INSTRUCTIONS  PERTAINING  TO   THE  TRAINING  OF 
AN  INFANTRY  DIVISION  AND  THE  ESTAB- 
LISHMENT OF  DIVISIONAL  SCHOOLS. 

1.  The  responsibility  for  the  training  of  a  division  rests  solely 
upon  the  division  commander.  Under  his  direction,  responsibility 
for  the  training  of  troops  devolves  upon  all  commanders  from 
those  of  platoons  upward.  Therefore  the  following  pages  will  be 
considered  only  as  suggestive  and  advisory  in  character,  to  be 
applied  and  adapted  in  the  discretion  of  the  division  com- 
mander and  made  mandatory  by  his  direction  alone.  Results  in 
efficiency  are  demanded  of  him — the  system  and  methods,  subject 
to  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  training  manuals  and  regula- 
tions, are  his  own. 

2.  The  tactical  instruction  of  brigade  commanders,  staff  officers 
and  regimental  field  officers  should  be  under  the  direct  personal 
supervision  of  the  division  commander.  Staff  officers  are  in- 
cluded in  this  instruction,  as  most  of  them  now  have  very  impor- 
tant functions  to  perform  in  the  preparation  of  operation  orders. 
The  course  will  be  taken  up  during  the  early  part  of  the  train- 
ing of  the  division. 

The  course  will  embrace  the  study  of  regulations,  manuals 
and  recent  publications  by  the  War  Plans  Division  on  open  and 
trench  warfare,  combined  from  the  beginning  with  the  employ- 
ment of  the  applicatory  methods,  including  map  problems,  terrain 
exercises,  tactical  rides  and  walks  and  map  maneuvers,  culminat- 
ing in  practical  maneuvers  with  troops. 

Courses  of  like  nature  will  be  conducted  for  regimental  officers 
in  each  regiment  by  the  colonel  under  the  supervision  of  the 
brigade  commander. 

3.  In  addition  to  the  tactical  courses  described  above,  a  system 
of  divisional  schools  will  be  established  as  required  and  main- 
tained as  long  as  they  are  necessary.  The  following  list  of 
schools  is  suggested : 

(a)   Infantry  school  of  arms : 
1.  Small-arms  department — 

First  section. — Grenades  (hand  and  rifle). 
Second  section  —Bayonet. 
Third  section. — Rifle  and  pistol. 

Fourth  section. — Automatic  arms  (automatic  rifle  and 
light  machine  gun). 

7 


2.  Machine-gun  department — 

First  section. — Heavy  (rifle-caliber)  machine  gun. 
Second  section. — One-pounder  gun. 

3.  Engineer  department — 

First  section. — Sappers,  bombers,  pioneers. 

Second  section. — Field  fortifications  for  line  troops. 

4.  Gas-defense  department — 

Use,  care,  reoaii  of  gas  masks,  etc. 

(b)  School  for  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers. 

(c)  School  for  stable  sergeants  and  farriers. 

(d)  School  for  mess  sergeants,  bakers  and  cooks. 

(e)  School  for  horseshoers. 

(/)   School  for  company  mechanics. 

(g)   School  of  equitation. 

(h)  School  for  supply  officers  end  supply  sergeants. 

(t  )  School  for  clerks. 

0" )   School  for  saddlers  and  cobblers. 

(k)   Signal  school. 

(/  )   School  for  bandsmen  and  buglers. 

(m)   School  for  hygiene  and  sanitation. 

Also  such  other  schools  as  the  division  commander  may  deem 
necessary. 

4.  In  the  training  work  at  least  36  hours  per  week,  exclusive  of 
officers  and  non-commissioned  officers'  schools,  will  be  required. 

To  be  successful  the  interest  of  the  men  must  be  maintained. 
This  can  be  done  by  giving  variety  to  the  work.  Do  not  keep 
men  too  long  at  one  thing;  change  to  something  else  before  they 
become  bored.  Long  periods  of  "place  rest"  should  not  be  per- 
mitted. Short  periods  of  physical  drill  of  various  kinds  should 
be  interspersed,  especially  what  is  called  recreationary  games. 

At  drills  all  officers  should  be  present  in  so  far  as  necessary  to 
secure  proper  supervision.  Superior  officers  should  supervise  the 
work  of  subordinates.  Every  mistake  must  be  corrected  and  the 
men  kept  to  their  work. 

While  this  war  has  called  into  use  new  weapons  and  new 
methods  it  has  not  obviated  the  use  and  necessity  of  the  old. 
Most  of  these  new  things  can  be  quickly  taught  to  soldiers  other- 
wise trained.  A  few  days  are  all  that  are  required  for  most  of 
them,  and  if  training  cannot  be  completed  in  the  United  States 
this  part  is  the  one  to  be  left  to  be  done  abroad.  The  absolute 
essentials  for  all  troops  and  what  requires  most  time  and  care  to 
impart  and  should  be  given  before  sailing  are: 

1.  Discipline. 

2.  Physical  efficiency,  including  marching. 

3.  Combat  efficiency,  bayonet,  rifle  and  musketry. 

4.  Development    of    leadership    in    officers    and    non-commis- 

sioned officers. 

5.  Development    of    cohesive    action,    maneuver,    liaison,    etc. 

(platoon  to  brigade). 

6.  Training  in  specialties  (open  warfare). 

7.  Tactics,  open  warfare  (platoon  to  brigade). 


8.  Complete  training  of  specialties. 

9.  Personal  hygiene. 

10.  Intrenching. 

11.  Trench  warfare  (elementary  principles).  These  cannot  be 
acquired  in  a  few  hours  or  days. 

5.  To  be  effective  in  time  of  war,  military  training  must  be 
uniform  throughout  the  service  and  must  conform  to  certain 
basic  principles  possessing  varying  degrees  of  importance.  A 
due  sense  of  proportion  of  these  principles  and  a  full  apprecia- 
tion of  the  relative  merits,  of  those  qualities  constituting  the 
standard  to  which  the  Army  must  attain  are  expected  of  all  com- 
manding officers. 

(a)  Patriotism  is  of  the  first  importance.  An  absolute  and  un- 
qualified devotion  to  the  welfare  and  success  of  our  country  is 
an  indispensable  prerequisite  that  has  always  constituted  the  soul 
of  our  Army. 

(b)  The  methods  to  be  employed  must  remain  or  become  dis- 
tinctly our  own. 

(c)  All  instructions  must  contemplate  the  assumption  of  a 
vigorous  offensive.  This  purpose  will  be  emphasized  in  every 
phase  of  training  until  it  becomes  a  settled  habit  of  thought. 

(d)  Time  is  important,  but  proficiency  is  the  most  important 
factor  in  all  training. 

(e)  Professional  knowledge  leads  to  the  greatest  efficiency 
when  intelligently  applied  in  actual  practice. 

(/)  The  general  principles  governing  combat  remain  un- 
changed in  their  essence.  This  war  has  developed  special  fea- 
tures which  involve  special  phases  of  training,  but  the  funda- 
mental ideas  enunciated  in  our  Drill  Regulations,  Small  Arms 
Firing  Manual,  Field  Service  Regulations  and  other  service 
manuals  remain  the  guide  for  both  officers  and  soldiers  and 
constitute  the  standard  by  which  their  efficiency  is  to  be  meas- 
ured, except  as  modified  in  detail  by  instructions. 

(g)  Self-respect,  self-reliance  and  resourcefulness  are  quali- 
ties in  a  large  measure  inherent  in  our  soldiers  and  should  be 
cultivated  to  the  fullest  extent  in  their  training. 

(/i)  All  officers  and  soldiers  should  realize  that  at  no  time 
in  our  history  has  discipline  been  so  important ;  therefore,  dis- 
cipline of  the  highest  order  must  be  exacted  at  all  times.  The 
standards  of  the  American  Army  will  be  those  of  the  United 
States  Military  Academy.  The  rigid  attention,  upright  bearing,  at- 
tention to  detail,  uncomplaining  obedience  to  instructions  required 
of  the  cadet  will  be  required  of  every  officer  and  soldier  of  our 
Armies.  Failure  to  attain  such  discipline  will  be  treated  as  lack 
of  capacity  on  the  part  of  a  commander  to  create  in  the  subor- 
dinate that  intensity  of  purpose  and  willing  acceptance  of  hard- 
ships which  are  necessary  to  success  in  battle. 

In  striving  to  secure  proper  standards  of  discipline,  officers  will 
not  lose  sight  of  their  personal  obligation  to  provide  for  the 
comfort  of  their  men.     No  proper  opportunity  will  be  lost  to 

9 


improve  their  condition  and  surroundings  and  create  a  spirit 
of  contentment  and  confidence  in  the  future.  Every  effort  must 
be  made  to  preserve  at  all  times  the  highest  possible  morale,  the 
external  sign  of  internal  discipline. 

(■/)  Training  will  be  based  on  developing  sound  leadership  in 
succession  in  the  squad  and  section,  the  platoon,  the  company 
and  finally  in  the  higher  units.  To  this  end  commanders  will  be 
i  eqiiired  to  lead  their  respective  units  in  person  in  the  most 
(  nergetic  manner.  As  far  as  possible  the  integrity  of  these 
units  will  be  preserved  in  quarters,  on  the  march  and  in  combat. 
In  making  details  this  principle  will  be  rigorously  enforced  and 
responsibility  for  satisfactory  performance  will  always  rest  with 
the  leader  of  the  unit  concerned. 

(;')  As  soon  as  proficiency  in  elementary  methods  is  attained, 
the  applicatory  system  of  training  will  be  employed.  All  tactical 
exercises  will  be  based  on  an  assumed  situation  and  responsible 
officers  will  require  their  subordinates  to  dispose  their  troops  in 
accordance  with  the  situation  assumed.  The  adoption  of  "normal 
methods"  of  attack  or  defense  which  limit  the  use  of  troops  ta 
fixed  formations  is  prohibited. 

(k)  Each  tactical  exercise  will  be  followed  by  a  short  critique 
to  be  conducted,  if  practicable,  on  the  ground  on  which  the  exer- 
cise took  place. 

The  necessary  umpires  will  be  designated  by  the  commander 
of  the  next  higher  unit;  the  battalion  commander  for  company 
problems,  the  regimental  commander  for  battalion  problems,  etc. 

(J)  Physical  Development. — For  the  work  that  will  be  required 
of  the  men  at  the  front,  physical  strength  and  endurance  arc 
absolutely  essential.  The  average  man  before  being  carefully 
trained  is  unfit  for  the  work.  Physical  training  is  more  essential 
than  in  previous  wars.  To  attain  this  the  man  must  first  be  put 
through  a  series  of  "setting  up  exercises"  to  loosen  up  the 
muscles  and  give  him  control  of  himself.  This  must  be  followed 
by  more  strenuous  work,  gradually  increased  and  should  be  had 
daily.  Frequent  short  drills  are  better  than  the  same  time  in 
long  periods.  Running,  running  in  a  crouching  position,  hurd- 
ling, running  over  rough  ground  in  and  out  of  trenches  and 
holes,  etc.,  is  an  essential  part  of  the  training.  This  in  addition  to 
the  work  in  other  drills. 

All  sports  in  which  the  combative  element  enters  should  be 
strongly  encouraged,  such  as  boxing,  wrestling  and  football. 

(m)  Persona!  Hygiene  and  First  Aid. — These  must  be  care- 
fully taught.  Conditions  in  the  field  are  hard :  the  men  must  be 
taught  lo  take  care  of  their  health.  Regimental  surgeons  should 
supervise  this  instruction  and  see  that  it  is  properly  done. 

C.  Duties  of  regimental  battalion  and  company  commanders. — 
The  division  commander  will  prepare  and  issue  programs  and 
schedules  of  training  covering  prescribed  periods  of  time. 

The  duty  of  seeing  that  the  prescribed  instruction  is  carried  out 
lies  with  the  regimental  commander  and  his  field  officers  and 
with  this  end  in  view  they  should  personally  observe  the  instruc- 

10 


tion  which  is  being  given  to  the  companies.  They  should,  how- 
ever, carefully  refrain  from  interfering  with  any  legitimate 
method  which  is  producing  results,  remembering  that  no  two 
men  will  proceed  along  exactly  the  same  lines.  By  interference 
superiors  not  only  destroy  initiative,  but  also  weaken  the  authority 
of  the  subordinate  commander  over  his  men.  Interference  is 
justified  only  when  such  commander  fails  to  follow  the  course 
of  instruction  prescribed,  displays  ignorance,  or  shows  such  a 
lack  of  judgment  in  his  methods  as  to  render  it  certain  that  the 
results  desired  will  not  be  accomplished.  This  does  not  mean 
that  a  suggestion  from  a  superior  officer  should  not  be  made  or 
followed,  but  such  suggestion  should  be  carefully  considered  and 
only  made  when  it  is  certain  better  results  will  follow  its 
adoption. 

7.  Having  received  a  schedule  of  instruction,  the  company 
commander  should  lay  his  plans  covering  all  details  of  the  subject 
not  prescribed  by  higher  authority.  Recruits  and  other  ill- 
instructed  men  should  be  grouped  together  and  assigned  for 
instruction  to  a  specially  qualified  officer  or  non-commissioned 
officer.  The  principles  and  methods  as  enunciated  in  Training 
Circular  No.  8,  War  Department,  1918,  on  Standards  and  Tests, 
as  an  aid  in  the  quick  training  of  infantry,  should  be  impressed 
upon  all  subordinate  commanders.  Each,  drill  should  be  governed 
by  a  schedule  showing  the  subjects  assigned  to  each  group  and 
the  corresponding  allowance  of  time. 

The  captain  should  supervise  the  instruction  of  the  various 
groups,  making  necessary  corrections  and  suggestions. 

8.  Normally  four  hours  will  be  devoted  to  military  training 
each  morning  and  three  in  the  afternoon. 

9.  It  is  desirable  that  provision  be  made  for  a  sand  table,  a 
map  for  map  problems,  and  some  device  to  serve  as  a  target  in 
instruction  in  fire  direction.  A  rough  sketch  on  paper  or  on  a 
blackboard  on  a  scale  of  about  12  inches  to  the  mile  will  serve 
for  map  problems,  but  a  relief  map  is  the  best  device  for  prac- 
tical instruction.  A  board  arranged  so  that  it  can  be  raised  or 
lowered  and  having  painted  on  it  a  line  of  prone  silhouettes 
makes  a  good  target.  Every  headquarters,  machine  gun  and 
supply  company  should  have  one  or  more  wooden  horses  so 
constructed  as  to  permit  of  saddling,  bridling  and  harnessing. 


11 


THE  INFANTRY 

FUNDAMENTAL  PRINCIPLES   AND  GENERAL  DIREC- 
TIONS GOVERNING  THE  TRAINING  OF 
INFANTRY. 

10.  (a)  Discipline. — Modern  war  as  now  carried  on  in  Europe 
requires  of  infantry  the  greatest  discipline  obtainable.  The 
failure  of  men  to  carry  out  their  orders  implicitly  in  an  attack 
means  unnecessary  heavy  losses,  if  not  absolute  failure.  It  is 
found  that  only  thoroughly  disciplined  troops  can  carry  out  a 
modern  attack  where  every  step  must  be  taken  in  accordance 
with  a  careful  schedule.  The  first  great  step  then  in  fitting 
infantry  troops  for  service  abroad  is  to  inculcate  this  spirit  of 
discipline. 

This  can  be  done : 

(1)  By  every  officer  setting  a  proper  example  for  those  below 
him  in  rank  of  promptly  and  cheerfully  obeying  orders  and 
regulations,  by  a  careful  and  exact  performance  of  every  duty 
and  by  exacting  the  same  of  all  subordinates. 

(2)  Dress  and  military  courtesies:  If  men  are  allowed  to  be 
sloppy  and  untidy  in  dress,  slipshod  and  careless  about  rendering 
courtesies,  the  military  spirit  is  lost  and  the  command  remains 
undisciplined. 

(3)  Precision  and  snap  in  drill :  This  must  be  insisted  on. 
Movements  must  be  executed  exactly  as  prescribed.  For  ex- 
ample, in  executing  right  front  into  line  from  column  of  squads, 
it  must  be  insisted  that  the  corporal  so  conduct  his  squad  that  it 
comes  exactly  to  its  place  without  closing  in  after  halting;  that 
the  command  halt  is  given  as  a  foot  strikes  the  ground;  that 
pieces  all  come  down  together,  etc.  All  other  movements  must  be 
executed  with  the  same  precision. 

Never  allow  a  movement  to  drag;  "snap"  is  necessary;  increase 
rather  than  decrease  the  cadence.  Most  close  order  drill  is  for 
disciplinary  purposes.  If  done  with  precision  and  snap  the 
object  is  attained;  if  not,  the  more  you  have  of  it  the  worse 
the  command.  Men  become  confirmed  in  doing  things  only 
approximately  as  told. 

(4)  Leaders  must  know  their  work.  There  must  be  no  hesi- 
tation, commands  must  be  given  correctly  and  with  snap. 
Leaders  must  treat  all  subordinates  with  courtesy,  correct  rea- 
sonable mistakes  without  harshness,  give  clear  and  reasonable 
explanations,  show  men  how.  When  men  fail  through  per- 
sistent carelessness,  inattention  or  wilfulness,  then  use  as  drastic 
measures  as  necessary.  Leaders  must  insist  that  all  subordinates 
do  their  work  properly,  but  they  must  set  the  example  them- 
selves. 

(5)  Cultivate  esprit  de  corps,  pride  in  the  organization,  and  in 
the  subdivisions  even  to  the  smallest.  Competitive  contests  be- 
tween smaller  units  are  of  great  advantage. 

12 


(&)  The  ultimate  object  of  all  instruction  being  field  service 
efficiency,  field  maneuvers  and  field  firing  should  be  considered 
as  the  culmination  of  previous  training  and  the  test  of  its  thor- 
oughness. 

(c)  The  efficiency  of  the  squad,  including  its  leader,  is  the 
basis  of  efficiency  and  this  efficiency  in  turn  depends  on  the 
thoroughness  of  the  training  of  individual  members  of  this  unit. 

(d)  The  efficiency  of  every  command  depends  on  the  effi- 
ciency of  the  units  or  teams  composing  it.  As  each  team  in  a 
large  command  must  be  under  the  direct  control  of  its  immediate 
chief,  it  is  evident  that  such  chief  should  have  all  possible 
charge  of  the  instruction  of  his  team.1  Authority  and  responsi- 
bility should  exist  in  equal  degree.  From  such  a  system  there 
should  result  not  only  suitable  instruction  of  the  team,  but  also 
comradeship  among  the  individual  members,  pride  in  the  team  as 
a  unit  and  that  confidence  and  habit  of  command  on  the  part  of 
the  leader  so  necessary  to  efficient  leadership. 

(e)  Drill  movements  are  of  two  general  classes — first,  drills  of 
precision  and,  second,  maneuver  and  combat  exercises. 

The  precise  movements  of  the  manual  of  arms  and  close-order 
drill  are  not  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  men  how  to  get  about 
on  the  battle  field.  They  will  hardly  be  used  there  at  all.  One 
of  the  principal  objects  is  to  train  the  soldiers'  minds  and  bodies 
to  habits  of  precise,  unhesitating  obedience  to  the.  will  of  the 
leader,  so  that  in  the  stress  of  battle  they  will  obey  without  con- 
scious effort,  mechanically,  automatically,  as  the  easiest  and 
most  natural  line  of  action. 

Maneuver  and  combat  exercises  are  intended  for  instruction  in 
the  proper  handling  of  troops  in  campaign  and-  on  the  battle 
field.    There  should  be  rigid  adherence  to  orders  and  instructions. 

It  is  hardly  possible  properly  to  conduct  a  drill  or  exercise 
without  special  forethought  and  preparation  for  that  particular 
drill  or  exercise.  After  each  drill  or  exercise  the  specific  work 
for  the  next  one  should  be  announced,  so  that  leaders  may  have 
time  to  prepare  themselves. 

The  drill  or  exercise  should  be  made  interesting,  not  only  by 
variety,  which  is  necessary  in  order  not  to  exhaust  the  soldier's 
attention  by  straining  it  too  long  on  one  subject,  but  also  by 
comments  on  the  part  of  leaders,  continued  throughout  the  drill 
and  directed  toward  those  elements  whose  performance  is  un- 
usually good  or  bad. 

(/)  There  must  be  a  definite  and  progressive  plan  and  schedule 
of  instruction.  Every  course  of  instruction  should  embrace  cer- 
tain definitely  prescribed  subjects  and  be  for  a  definite  period  in 
order  to  unify  instruction,  prevent  unnecessary  repetition  and 
use  the  available  time  to  the  best  advantage.    On  the  completion 


1  Officers  must,  however,  because  of  the  inexperience  of  the  great  majority 
of  the  noncommissioned  officers,  give  personal  attention  to  individual 
instruction  and  to  that  of  the  squad  and  platoon,  in  order  that  the  train- 
ing  may    proceed    along    right    lines  and   due   progress    be   made. 


13 


of  the  prescribed  course  of  theoretical  instruction  all  study  should 
not  cease,  but  sufficient  post-graduate  work  should  follow  to 
broaden  the  student's  professional  horizon  and  keep  him  in  touch 
with  new  methods  and  ideas. 

(g)  Officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  of  each  grade 
should  be  competent  to  take  up  the  duties  of  the  next  higher 
grade.  Military  efficiency  can  only  be  attained  through  compe- 
tent and  instructed  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers. 

(h)  Lectures  are  valuable  aids  in  military  training.  Those  to 
enlisted  men  should  be  about  one-half  hour  long;  to  officers 
they  may  be  longer.  The  number  of  lectures  on  any  particular 
subject  will  depend  upon  its  nature.  They  should  be  delivered 
by  those  specially  qualified  on  the  particular  subjects.  The 
lecture  meetings  should  be  as  informal  as  is  consistent  with 
discipline ;  questions  and  discussions  should  be  arranged.  The 
appropriate  use  of  maps,  diagrams  and  illustrations,  including' 
moving  pictures,  is  advantageous. 

A  list  of  general  subjects  for  lectures  is  given  hereafter. 

11.  Basis  of  Infantry  training.— The  training  of  infantry  is 
based  on  the  subjects  covered  in  Infantry  Drill  Regulations  (I. 
D.  R.),  Field  Service  Regulations  (F.  S.  R.),  Manual  for  Non- 
commissioned Officers  and  Privates  (M.  N.  C.  O.),  Small-Arms 
Firing  Manual  (S.  A.  F.  M.),  and  Manual  Physical  Training  (M. 
P.  T.),  and  in  pamphlets  issued  from  time  to  time  by  the  War 
Department  in  accordance  with  developments  in  the  art  of  war. 

TRAINING  PLAN 

ALL  COMPANIES. 

(1)  Recruit  instruction : 

(a)  Articles  of  War. 

(b)  Military  discipline  and  courtesy, 
(r)  Arms,  uniforms  and  equipment. 

(d)  Personal  hygiene  and  care  of  feet. 

(e)  School  of  the  soldier. 

(f)  School  of  the  squad. 

(g)  Setting-up  exercises,  recruit  instruction. 
(h)  Orders  for  sentinels. 

(i )   Preliminary  instruction,  target  practice. 

RIFLE  COMPANY. 

(2)  Squad  instruction: 

(a)  Test  of  recruits  by  squad  leaders  in   subjects    (1) 

(b)  to  (z),  inclusive. 

(b)  Setting-up  exercises,  "Trained  soldiers"  instruction. 

(c)  School  of  the  squad. 

(d)  Shelter  tent  pitching. 

(e)  Bayonet    exercises    and    bayonet    combat. 
(/)  Whistle  anc'  arm  signals. 

14 


(g)  Color  sentinels,  countersigns  and  paroles,  compli- 
ment from  guards,  guarding  p.isoners  and  flags. 

(h)  Sighting  drills. 

(i )    Position  and  aiming  drills. 

(/')  Making  triangles. 

(kj  Target  practice. 

(/ )  Musketry  duties  of  the  squad  and  squad  leader, 
involving  target  designation,  distribution  of  -fire 
on  target,  fire  discipline,  fire  direction  and  fire 
control. 

(m)   First  aid  to  the  wounded. 

(w)    (0  Methods   of   employing  gases   in  modern  war- 
fare; (1)  gas  clouds;  (2)  gas  shells. 
(ii  )  Effect  of  gas. 

(Hi)  Use  of  gas  mask;    (1)    care  of  mask;    (2) 
method  of  application;  (3)  mask  drill. 

(3)  Platoon  instruction: 

(a)  Test  of  squads  by  platoon  leaders  on  subjects   (2) 
(c),    (d),    (■«),    (/),    (/),    (m)    and    (n) ;    (3), 
paragraph  above. 
(6)  Drill,  close  order. 

(c)  Drill,  in  open. 

(d)  Musketry  duties  of  platoon  and  platoon  leader,  in- 

volving : 
Target  designation. 
Finding  range. 
Distribution  of  fire. 
Fire  discipline. 
Fire  direction. 
Fire  control. 
Communications. 

(e)  (1)  Marching,  running,  bayonet  fighting,  rapid  load- 

ing and  aiming,  etc.,  while  wearing  gas  masks. 
(2)  Prevention    of    damage   by   gas   to    rifles,    etc., 

sentry  duties  in  connection  with  gas.  . 
(/■)  Automatic  rifle. 
(g)  Rifle  grenades. 
(h)  Hand  grenades. 
(t)  Rifle  trenches. 
(/)   Individual  cooking. 
(k)  Training  in  trench  warfare. 

(4)  Company  instruction: 

(a)  Test  of  squads  in  subjects   (2)    (c),   (J),   (/),   (/), 

(wr)    and   («)  ;   (3)  paragraph  above. 

(b)  Test  of  platoons  in  subjects  (3)   (b),  (c),  (d),  (e), 

U),  io),  W,  (0    and  (;'),  paragraph  above. 

(c)  School  of  the  company,  close  order. 

(d)  Musketry  duties  of  the  company,  involving: 

Target  designation. 
Finding  the  range. 
Distribution  of  fire. 

15 


Fire  discipline. 

Fire  direction. 

Fire  control. 

Communication. 
(e)  Marching  and  camping. 
(/)  Range   practice,   known    distance,   small-arms    firing 

courses. 
(g)  Field  service. 
(h)  Company  inspection. 

(t  )  Commander,  sergeant   and  corporal  of  the  guard. 
(J)  Guard  mounting. 
(k)   Physical  training  and  swimming. 
(/  )  Company  training  in  trench  warfare. 

12.  Drill. — Drill,  close  and  extended  order,  must  be  thoroughly 
taught.    Precision  and  snap  are  essential. 

In  the  extended  order  care  must  be  taken  to  carefully  explain 
the  reasons  for  what  is  done.  After  the  mechanism  of  extended 
order  is  thoroughly  learned  such  exercise  should  then  be  the 
solution  of  a  tactical  problem,  at  first  against  an  imaginary  foe 
and  later  units  working  against  each  other.  In  the  second  case 
the  next  higher  commander  should  prepare  the  problem  and  act 
as  umpire. 

After  every  exercise  there  must  be  a  critique,  all  errors  pointed 
out,  good  work  commended  and  the  reasons  for  the  comments 
should  be  given. 

13.  Intrenching. — Earth  work  is  an  almost  daily  occurrence  in 
the  soldier's  life.  A  successful  attack  may  often  be  of  no  value 
unless  men  can  promptly  get  cover  by  intrenching  and  at  all 
limes  at  the  front  lives  will  be  necessarily  lost  if  men  cannot 
efficiently  use  intrenching  tools.  Many  if  not  most  of  our  men 
have  never  used  a  pick  and  shovel.  All  must  be  taught  to  use 
them  efficiently  under  the  varying  conditions  that  may  arise,  as 
when  close  together,  stooping,  etc. 

14.  Minor  Tactics. — Minor  tactics  for  infantry  must  receive 
very  careful  attention.  Experience  on  the  western  front  has 
proven  its  great  importance.  While  battles  cover  long  fronts 
and  are  carried  on  by  large  bodies,  locally  there  constantly  arise 
minor  combats,  "strong  points"  that  must  be  captured  by  a 
platoon,  company  or  battalion.  Flanks  that  must  be  covered  by 
small  units  up  to  a  battalion. 

Outpost,  patrolling,  advance  and  rear  guard  work  are  im- 
portant. 

To  properly  teach  minor  tactics  requires  much  careful  work. 

15.  "Bullet  and  Bayonet." — The  rifle  and  the  bayonet  are  the 
principal  weapons  of  the  infantry  soldier.  He  will  be  trained  to 
a  high  degree  of  skill  as  a  marksman  both  on  the  target  range 
and  in  field  firing.  An  aggressive  spirit  must  be  developed  until 
the  soldier  feels  himself,  as  a  bayonet  fighter,  invincible  in  battle. 

The  soldier's  practice  must  be  such  as  to  make  proper  aiming 
and  trigger  pull  a  fixed  habit,  for  only  when  such  is  the  case  will 

16 


he  do  it  properly  under  the  stress  of  battle.  Position  and  aiming 
drill  is  important  and  should  be  given  from  ten  to  fifteen  minutes 
daily.  The  training  in  rapid  loading  is  important.  Gallery 
practice  should  begin  as  soon  as  the  men  are  far  enough  ad- 
vanced. This  drill  is  important  in  that  it  stimulates  interest, 
forms  fixed  habits  and  offers  a  means  whereby  the  preliminary 
instruction  can  be  checked.  The  regular  course  of  target  practice 
should  be  held  as  soon  as  possible.  Target  ranges  in  France  are 
few.  Consequently  every  opportunity  should  be  grasped  to  have 
as  much  target  practice  as  possible  before  sailing. 

The  bayonet,  in  the  conditions  now  existing  on  the  western 
front,  is  almost  as  important  as  the  bullet.  Bayonet  work  must 
be  carefully  taught.  The  aggressive  spirit  must  be  inculcated 
and  the  man  impressed  with  the  idea  that  he  is  superior  to  the 
enemy  in  bayonet  fighting.  Much  practice  must  be  given  in 
running  the  offensive  course,  combining  the  "bullet  and  bayonet." 
Aim  to  secure  speed  and  accuracy. 

16.  Automatic  Rifles. — One  of  the  most  important  infantry 
weapons  is  the  automatic  rifle.  The  men  armed  with  the  auto- 
matic rifle  should  be  highly  trained  in  its  nomenclature,  mechan- 
ism, tactical  use,  etc.  All  the  other  men  in  the  company  should 
know  how  to  load  and  fire  an  automatic  rifle.  A  correct  tactical 
use  of  automatic  rifles  in  conjunction  with  the  other  company 
arms  is  essential.  The  men  armed  with  the  automatic  rifle 
should  be  of  sturdy  build  on  account  of  the  weight  of  the 
ammunition. 

17.  Rifle  Grenades. — All  men  should  be  familiar  with  the 
method  of  firing  rifle  grenades  and  the  tactical  use  of  this  class 
of  fire.  The  rifle  grenadiers  should  be  highly  trained  and  made 
to  appreciate  that  the  maximum  tactical  efficiency  can  only  be 
attained  in  the  proper  co-operation  with  the  other  groups  in  the 
platoon.  The  rifle  grenadiers  should  be  of  sturdy  build  on 
account  of  the  weight  of  the  ammunition. 

18.  Grenades. — All  the  men  should  be  taught  and  have  some 
practice  in  throwing  grenades.  Too  much  time  must  not  be  given 
to  this  work;  it  is  of  secondary  importance. 

19.  Signals. — All  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  of  a 
company  must  know  the  signals  prescribed  in  paragraphs  43  to  47, 
inclusive,  Infantry  Drill  Regulations. 

20.  N on- commissioned  Officers. — Present  warfare  makes  a 
heavy  demand  on  the  infantry  non-commissioned  officers  and 
requires  in  them  a  higher  standard  of  efficiency  and  training  than 
ever  before.  The  time  available  to  develop  them,  particularly 
the  sergeants,  is  very  short  and  therefore  intensified  means  must 
be  employed  to  secure  the  desired  results. 

To  give  sergeants  the  proper  prestige,  their  position  should  be 
elevated  in  every  possible  way  by  segregation  in  barracks  and 
mess,  by  privileges,  by  participation  in  the  administration  and 
training  of  their  units,  etc.,  in  order  that  they  may  be  made  to 
feel  the  responsibility  and  obligation  imposed  on  them  and  so 

17 


that    other    enlisted    men    will    appreciate    and    recognize    their 
authority  and  power  to  command. 

Special  courses  of  instruction,  theoretical  and  practical,  should 
be  created  for  them  from  the  beginning  and  consistently  main- 
tained throughout  the  period  of  training. 

21.  Methods  of  Training. — During  the  last  year  a  method  of 
training  the  technical  groups  of  the  companies  has  been  created 
which  makes  the  battalion  the  basis  of  training  instead  of  the 
company.  A  suitable  number  of  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers  are  selected  from  the  battalion  as  a  corps  of  instructors 
for  the  subjects  selected  for  battalion  instruction,  viz.,  bayonet 
and  physical  training,  automatic  rifles,  rifle  grenades,  musketry, 
grenades  and  field  engineering.  The  companies  of  the  battalion 
or  their  technical  groups  receive  in  turn  instruction  in  the 
specialty  from  the  corps  of  instructors  in  charge  of  that  subject. 

This  system  enables  the  battalion  commander  to  select  the 
most  competent  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  from  the 
entire  battalion  to  conduct  the  training  of  any  given  specialty 
and  it  results  in  giving  all  the  companies  the  highest  degree  of 
training  that  the  instructing  personnel  of  the  battalion  is  capable 
of.  As  well,  a  uniformity  of  training  is  obtained  for  all  the 
companies,  which  is  most  desirable. 

Such  instruction  should  take  up  but  a  small  part  of  the 
day  or  be  allotted  but  a  portion  of  the  days  of  the  week.  During 
the  remainder  of  the  time,  the  platoon  and  company  officers 
instruct  their  organizations  in  drill,  tactical  training,  target 
practice,  minor  tactics,  etc. 

Under  some  conditons,  different  features  of  the  tactical  train- 
ing may  be  better  handled  under  regimental,  brigade  or  even 
division  supervision. 

22.  ,SV/!00/.y.^-Schools  for  officers  and  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers will  be  maintained.  In  these  schools  the  work  must  be 
first  on  the  authorized  manuals,  Infantry  Drill  Regulations  and 
Field  Service  Regulations. 

As  material  and  instructors  become  available  classes  will  be 
formed  in  each  division  to  train  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers  as  instructors. 

•  23.  Headquarter  Company,— The  training  of  the  specialists  in 
the  headquarter  company  of  the  infantry  regiments,  as  given  in 
the  Tables  of  Organization  A,  will  require  careful  thought  and 
effort.  They  must  be  trained  for  their  special  work.  Division 
commanders  should  receive  assistance  from  their  engineer  and 
signal  organizations  in  carrying  this  out. 

This  applies  equally  to  the  training  of  the  headquarter  detach- 
ments of  the  brigades. 

24.  Machine  Guns. — The  machine-gun  compares  must  be 
trained,  in  addition  to  the  handling  of  their  guns,  in  field  engi- 
neering, throwing  grenades  and  especially  physical  drill. 

18 


25.  The  intelligence  personnel  assigned  to  battalion  headquarters 
v.'ill  be  trained  by  the  battalion  scout  officer  in  signaling,  scouting, 
patrolling,  intelligence  work,  etc. 

26.  The  following  schedule  is  a  guide.  It  may  be  modified  in 
whole  or  in  part,  as  the  division  commander  sees  fit.  The  sub- 
ject enumerated  herein  must,  however,  be  covered.  It  is  based 
on  7  hours,  being  an  average  day's  work,  all  seasons  considered. 
It  contemplates  4  hours'  work  on  Saturday: 

FIRST  PERIOD,  FOUR  WEEKS. 

Rifle   Company : 

Hours. 

Recruit   instruction    30 

School  of  the  squad   38 

Platoon  instruction,  close  and  extended  order 30 

Physical    drill    .._ 12 

Theoretical    (discipline,   etc.) 8 

Hygiene  and  first  aid 4 

Marching,  practice  march  6 

Guard  duty  12 

Bayonet  instruction  * f 2 

Examinations,  tests,  etc 4 

Total    156 

Machine  Gun  Company: 

Hours. 

Close  and  extended  order  52 

Physical  drill   12 

Hygiene  and  first  aid 4 

Care  and  use  of  transport 20 

Marching   6 

Guard    duty 12 

Theoretical    (discipline,    etc.)     22 

Examinations,  tests,  etc 4 

Machine-gun  mechanism 14 

Maneuver,    facility,   cohesion,   liaison,   deployment 10 

Total    156 

Headquarters  Company : 

Hour?;. 

School  of  soldier  and  squad,  platoon  instruction 78 

Physical  drill  12 

Guard    duty    12 

Theoretical 12 

Hygiene  and  first  aid   4 

Instruction  in  specialties   28 

Marching     6 

Examinations  and  tests 4 

Total    156 

19 


Band  Section : 

Hours. 
Training  as  auxiliary  sanitary  troops  (in  addition  to  regu-  . 

lar  band  practice) 8 

Physical  drill   12 


SECOND  PERIOD,  FOUR  WEEKS. 

Rifle  Company : 

Hours. 

Close  and  extended  order  drill  (platoon  and  company) ....  GO 

Physical     12 

Theoretical    8 

Hygiene  and  first  aid 4 

Marching 6 

Guard  duty 6 

Bayonet  combat    10 

Automatic  rifles,  rifle  grenades,  grenades 8 

Gas    , 6 

Target  practice  and  musketry   32 

Examinations  and  tests   4 

Total    156 

Machine   Gun   Company. 

Hours. 

Close  order  and  machine-gun  drill  48 

Physical    drill    12 

Hygiene  and  first  aid  4 

Care  and  use  of  transports  15 

Guard   duty    6 

Machine-gun  mechanism  and  preliminary  sighting  exercises  20 

Gas  6 

Maneuver,  facility,  cohesion,  liaison,  deployment 12 

Marching    6 

Theoretical    8 

Examinations,  tests,  etc ". 4 

Tactics,  open  warfare  15 

Total    156 

Headquarters  Company: 

Hours. 

Close  order  drill   4S 

Physical  drill   12 

Guard  duty  (> 

Theoretical 8 

Hygiene  and  first  aid   4 

Instruction  in  specialties   36 

Marching    8 

20 


Examination  and  tests  4 

Firing  with  either  rifle  or  pistol  and  other  special  arm 30 

Total    156 

Band    Section : 

Hours. 
Training  as  auxiliary  sanitary  troops  (in  addition  to  regu- 
lar band  practice)    8 

Physical  drill  12 

THIRD   PERIOD,   FOUR  WEEKS. 

Rifle  Company: 

Hours 
Close   and    extended    order    drill    (platoon,    company    and 

battalion)     30 

Physical    12 

Hygiene  and  first  aid   '. 4 

Guard   duty 4 

Bayonet  combat io 

Gas   4 

Target  and  range  practice  and  musketry 46 

Examinations  and  tests  4 

Completion  of  training  in  specialties   6 

Training  in  open  warfare  (minor  tactics  and  liaison) 24 

Training  in  trench    warfare    12 

Total    156 

Machine  Gun  "Company: 

Hours. 

Close   order   30 

Physical    drill    12 

Hygiene  and  first  aid 4 

Care  and  use  of  transports 6 

Guard   duty 4 

Gas     4 

Maneuver,  facility,  cohesion,  liaison,  deployment 12 

Technique  of  fire  18 

Examinations  and  tests   4 

Tactics,  open  warfare  10 

Known  distance  machine-gun  firing 26 

Fire    problems    20 

Tactics,  trench  warfare   6 

Total    156 

Headquarters  Company: 

Hours. 

Close  order  drill    30 

Physical    drill    12 

21 


Guard    duty    4 

Hygiene  and  first  aid   4 

Marching    8 

Examinations  and  tests   4 

Firing  with  either  rifle  or  pistol  and  other  special  arm 36 

Open  warfare    36 

Trench  warfare    22 

Total    156 

Band  Section: 

Hours. 
Training  as  auxiliary  sanitary  troops  (in  addition  to  regu- 
lar band  practice)    8 

Physical  drill  12 

FOURTH  PERIOD,  FOUR  WEEKS. 

Combined  training,   maneuver,   liaison,   deplojmients,   open 
and   trench   warfare   and  coordination   of  two  or  more 
arms  of  service.  Review  of  previous  3  months'  work 
outlined    above    156 

27.         GENERAL  SUBJECTS  FOR  LECTURES. 

(Suitable  for  all  arms).  •> 

1.  Discipline. 

2.  Conduct  in  service. 

3.  Morale. 

4.  Leadership. 

5.  Customs  and  courtesies  of  the  service,  saluting. 

6.  Physical  training. 

7.  Obligations   and  rights  of  the  soldier. 

8.  Duties  and  responsibilities  of  N.  C.  O. 

9.  The  commissioned  officer. 

10.  Personal  hygiene. 

11.  Venereal  diseases. 

12.  Alcoholism,  drugs. 

13.  Personal  cleanliness. 

14.  Insects  and  vermin. 

15.  Vaccination  and  prophylaxis,   communicable   diseases. 

16.  Care  of  the  feet. 

17.  First  aid  and  elementary  bandaging 

18.  Sanitation  and  its  maintenance. 

19.  Articles  of  War. 

20.  Army  regulations  and  orders. 

22 


21.  Purposes  and  methods  of  drill. 

22.  Why  we  are  at  war. 

23.  History,  European  war,  United  States  war. 

24.  Pay  and  allowances. 

25.  Care  and  adjustment  of  clothing  and  equipment. 

26.  Military  offenses  and  punishments. 

27.  Property  responsibility. 

28.  Interior  guard  duty. 

29.  Security  in  the  field. 

30.  Rations. 

31.  Reconnaissance. 

32.  Use  of  cover. 

33.  Study  of  terrain  on  the  ground. 

34.  Maps  and  map  reading. 

35.  Messages  and  reports. 

36.  Lines  of  information. 

37.  Orders. 

38.  Horses  and  stable  management. 

39.  Organization,  arms  and  characteristics  of — 

(a)  United  States  troops, 
(p)  Allies. 

(c)  Enemy. 

(d)  Others. 

40.  Entrenchments. 

41.  Tactical  use  of  machine  guns. 

42.  Gas  warfare. 

43.  Grenade  and  bomb  warfare. 

44.  Powers  and  limitations  of  various  arms. 

45.  Transportation  of  troops  by  rail,  trucks,  ships. 

46.  Attack  and  defense  of  positions. 

47.  Rules  of  land  warfare. 

48.  Trench  orders. 

SUPPLY  COMPANY. 

28.  A  supply  company  will  be  instructed  in  the  following  sub- 
jects: 

(a)  Regimental  supply  sergeants  in  the  preparation  of  prop- 
erty returns,  correspondence,  rations  returns;  in  studies  of  Army 
Regulations,  Field  Service  Regulations,  infantry  equipment,  price 
list  of  clothing  and  equipment  (annual  general  order  of  War  De- 
partment), Quartermaster  Manual  and  other  books  and  papers, 
also  blank  forms  pertaining  strictly  to  their  duties  as  supply  ser- 
geants. 

23 


(b)  First  sergeants,  mess  sergeants,  stable  sergeants,  cooks,! 
saddlers,  as  prescribed  respectively  for  the  same  positions  for  a] 
headquarters  company. 

(c)  Corporals  as  prescribed   for  stable  sergeants. 

(d)  Saddlers  as  prescribed  for  horseshoers  in  a  headquarters j 
company. 

(e)  Wagoners  in  the  study  of  Manual  for  Farriers.  Horse- 
shoers, Saddlers  and  Wagoners  or  Teamsters ;  the  care  and  treat- 
ment of  animals  and  the  nomenclature,  care  and  preservation  of 
harness  and  wagons. 

(/)  All  non-commissioned  officers  will  be  instructed  in  sig- 
naling. 

(g)  All  members  in  making  pack,  in  anti-gas  measures,  camp 
sanitation,  personal  hygiene  and  the  use  of  the  first-aid  packet; 
the  nomenclature,  care  and  preservation  of  the  rifle  or  pistol, 
depending  upon  the  weapon  with  which  they  are  armed. 

(h)  All  members  armed  with  the  rifle  in  sighting,  position  and 
aiming  drills  and  target  practice. 


24 


Pam 

Bi 

Gaylord 

Makers 
Stockt 

PAI.  JAN. 


C 64313 


UDU 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


U.  C.  BERKELE 


COSLffiE 


\ 


